Extension cord reel



Feb. 6, 1934. G. FISLER EXTENSION CORD REEL Filed Nov. 30, 1932 INVENTOR ,9 $413, BY M (L ATTORNEY- "irao sures PATENT OFFICE 1,945,602 EXTENSION CORD REEL Gottfried Fisler, Cleveland, Ohio Application November 30, 1932 Serial No. 645,004

This invention relates to an electric extension cordholder and particularly to a suitable selfwinding reel device on which an extension cord for various household appliances may be left reeled while the cord is electrically connected to a suitable electrical outlet and to an appliance with which to be used, in a manner such that the cord is maintained taut and yet will accommodate ent invention installed for itself to the particular appliance as such applionce is moved various distances from the outlet.

One of the principal objects of the present in- .vention is to provide a device of this character which is strong, compact and durable.

A more specific object is to provide such a device which maybe manufactured and assembled economically in large or small quantities and in which all of the working parts are well protected in a suitable casing from outside contact or interference.

A more specific object is a device for effecting automatic reeling and unreeling of the cord while maintaining electrical contact between the cord and the outlet in which device all of the working and moving parts are maintained in proper operating position and secured in'place consequent upon the configuration of the interior of .the casing and the securing of the protective casing about such parts. I

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification wherein reference is made to the drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the presuse.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device of the present invention with half of the protective casing removed, part thereof being shown in section for clearness in illustration.

Fig. 3 is areduced viewof the casing illustrated in Fig. 2 showing the formation thereof and receiving the working elements.

Fig. 4 is a reduced end elevation of the device illustrated in Fig. 3, one half of the'casing likewise -wall service outlet, preferably directly at the outlet, and the extension cord 4 extending from the reel device to the iron 2 or other appliance with which to be associated.

The reel device 1 is better illustrated in Fig. 2 co and comprises a spool 3, preferably of bakelite or hard rigid insulating materiahon which the cord 4 is adapted to be wound consequent upon rotation of the spool 3. The spool 3 has a hollow bore 5 extending for the full length of the spool and is provided near the ends with guide flanges 6 for maintaining the cord in proper relation thereon. The spool 3 is rotatably mounted within a suitable protective casing 8, the casing having at one end a passage 9 for passage of the 79 cord 4 from the spool 3 to the outside of the casing.

For economy in assembly, the casing 8 is comprised of two segments 8:: and 8?) respectively,. as better illustrated in Fig. 3. These segments are preferably congruent, each comprising a M hemispherical shell, and are adapted to be placed with their edges in abutting relationship to de-. fine the substantially spherical or globular hollow casing 8, as illustrated in Fig. '1.

Near one end of the body 8, preferably op- 8d posite to the passage 9, is a neck 10 having a 7 pair of spaced parallel passages 11 and 12 respectively extending from the interior of the body to the outside. Within the body, at opposite sides from each other, are bosses 13 and 14 85 which are preferably formed integral with the body segments. The bosses 13 and 14 are slotted,' as indicated respectively at 15 and 16, to receive and snugly embrace the end portions of conducting elements 17 and 18 respectively. The

elements 17 and 18 are preferably brass or copper bands or strips so formed as to lie in juxtaposition with the adjacent inner wall surfaces of the body 8 when the innermost 'ends thereof are disposed within the 16. The more remote ends of the conducting elements are bent at an angle to the remainder thereof so as to pass through the passages 11 and 12 in the neck 10 and be snugly received therein, the outer ments extending outwardly of the neck 10 of the body and forming sabre blades 17a and 18a respectively, adapted to engage the usual wall socket. Fins 17b and 181) are provided on the conducting elements 17 and 18 and are positioned 105 thereon for engaging suitable slots 11a and 12a in the neck 10 of the body segments 8a and 8b when the elements 17 and 18 are disposed in the passages 11 and 12 respectively, thus securing the elements 17 respective slots 15 and ends of the conducting eleand 18 firmly in position and against displacement longitudinally. Each of the conducting elements is provided with an open-J ing, such as indicated at 19, adapted to receive shafts or spindles for rotatably supporting the reel 3.

.Referring to Fig. 2, two separate shafts are preferably used, the shafts preferably being of brass, copper or other conducting material. One

of these shafts, for example the shaft 20, is a,

21 is an annular shoulder adapted to engage the adjacent conducting element 13 in face to :face relationship when the shaft 20 is engaged with the opening 19 thereof. Thus an electrical connection is provided between the conducting element 18, the shaft 20, and the collar 21.

The adjacent flange 6 of the spool is provided with a passage through which is passed one of the wires 25 of the extension cord 4, the end of the wire 25 being electrically connected to the collar 21 through the medium of a suitable screw 26. The screw also secures the end of the wire 25 to the spool for rotation therewith. A second shaft 30, coaxial with the shaft 20 and similarly mounted at its outer end in the opposite conducting element 17 is also provided,-the inner end of the shaft 30 terminating in spaced relation to the adjacent end of the shaft 20. Near the inner end of the shaft 30 is provided a collar 31 which firmly engages the inner walls of the spool 3 and snugly embraces the shaft 30*.

Mounted about the shaft 30 is a coil spring 33 the outermost end of which is secured in the conductor 17 as indicated at 32, so as to remain in fixed position as the spool is rotated, and the inner end of which is secured in the collar 31. The shaft 30 is also provided at its outer end with a shoulder 34 adapted to lie in face to face abutting relationship with the conducting element 17 in which the end of the shaft 30 is rotatably mounted as described. Thus electrical connection is provided between the conducting element 17 and the shaft 30 and therethrough to the collar 31. Additional electrical contact is also provided through the medium of the spring 33 which engages both the conducting element 17 and the collar 31. p

The second wire 36 of the cord 4 is electrically connected to the collar 31 by a suitable screw 3'7, this connection preferably being effected intermediate the flanges 6 so that the bare wires 26 and 36 will be maintained separated from each other. Since the spring 33 is secured at one end in the conductor 17, which is rigidly fixed in the body, and is secured at the other end in the collar 31, which is rigidly fixed within the spool.

3, the spring will be tensioned consequent upon rotation of the reel by pulling or unreeling the cord 4 and consequently will in turn rotate the spool 3 for rewinding the cord 4..

As previously explained the body 8 is comprised.

of two congruent hemispherical segments 8a and 8b respectively. In order that the device may be assembled economically, the plane of division of the body into the segments 8a and 872 extends through the midportion of the neck 10, the bosses '13 and 14 and the axis of the reel. Consequently.

half of theneck 10, with corresponding portions of the passages 11 and 12, and half of the bosses 13 and 14 with corresponding portions of the slots 16 and 17 are incorporated in each segment. The bosses 13 and 14 are also similar so that the segments are duplicates and can be molded from the same mold with the same grooves therein. The segments are preferably of "bakelite, hard rubber or other rigid insulating material. The contactors are likewise identical, as also are the collars 21 and 31, consequently the number of different parts required for the reeling device is materially reduced.

In order to assemble the device, the collar 31 and spring 33 may first be secured together, the collar then being slid into the bore 5 of the spool and secured in place by the screw 37, the lead wire 36 being secured thereto at the same time. The collar 21 may likewise be secured in the spool and the conductor 26 secured in proper position, the shafts 20 and 30 being secured in the respective collars preferably previous to insertion in the spool 3. The contactor 17 is then engaged with the outer end of the spring 33, and the contactors are engaged with their respective shafts 2i and 30. While the elements are so engaged the contactorsare laid within the grooves 18 and 19 of the boss portions of the body, segment 80, their outer ends engaging the passage portions 11 and 12 of said segment.

Just prior to insertion of the contactors into the grooves of the body section 8a,the cord is wound about the spool 3 with the spring unten- -sioned or very slightly tensioned so that when the cord is subsequently drawn out and thereby rotates the spool, the spring 33 will be tensioned sumciently to rewind the same.

Thus all of the elements of the device are located in operating position with respect to each other and lightly held in place by engagement of the contactors 17 and 18 by the passage portions 11, 12, 15 and 16. The casing section 3?) isa then laid over the segment 3a, its corresponding passage portions 11, 12, 15 and 16 engaging the contactors.

In order to secure the segments 8a and 3b together, suitable complementary fins 33 may be provided on the respective segments, each of the fins being tapped to receive suitable screws 39 for securing the segments together. A similar bore 40 may also be provided in the neck 10 for receiving the screw or bolt 41. Thus merely by bolting the two sections 80 and 8b together all of the working parts are secured in operating position in respect to each other and no metallic connection extends outwardly of the body or casing 8 other than the cord 4 and the sabre connections 17a and 18a.

Referring to the modifications illustrated in Fig. 6, another means for securing the lead wires 25' and 36' in place to form electrical connections with the shafts 30' and 20' respectively, is illustrated. In the modified structure the spool 3. is provided with an internal web 45 near one end. Secured in the interior of the spool on the opposite sides of the web are coaxial metallic bearing cups 46 and 47. These bearing cups are secured in the spool by moulding the material thereof about the same and are internally threaded and adapted to receive threaded ends of shafts 20 and 30' respectively. Suitable radial bores 48 and 49 extending through the spool and through the respective bearing caps are provided for passing the lead wires 25 and 36' from the outside into the interior of the respective caps for forming the electrical connection between respective shafts '20 and 30' and the lead wires 25' and 36'. For accomplishing this result, it is only necessary to insert the ends of the wires 25' and 36' through the bores 49 and 48 and into the caps 45 and 46 respectively and to screw the shafts and 30 tightly in place in the bearing caps so that they engage the wires and 36 and hold them tightly against the end walls of the respective caps. The spring 33' is preferably coiled in such direction that the tension thereon tends to screw the shaft more tightly in engagement with the bearing cap 46. Thus the use of screws such as 26 and 37 are eliminated and the assembly operation is greatly facilitated. The spool 3' is mounted and operates in the same manner as the spool 3 above described.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that I have provided a strong, durable and safe device for the purposes set forth and which may be manufactured economically as it requires a minimum of differently shaped elements and securing means therefor.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An extension cord reel for the purposes described, comprising a hollow casing, a pair of conducting elements mounted insaid casing at opposite sides thereof, said elements being insulated from each other, end portions of said conducting elements protruding exteriorly of the casing and forming sabre blades for engagement with a wall socket, a-spool within said casing intermediate said elements, spindles on the respective ends of said spool, insulated from each other, rotatably supported in said elements respectively, said spool having an extension cord of insulated conductor wires wound thereon, spring means for rotating said spool for reeling said cord thereon, said spring means being tensioned consequent upon rotation of said spool by unreeling said cord, means operatively connecting the conductor wires of said cord to the spool for w nding and unwinding thereon when the spool is rotated, and means electrically connecting said conductor wires-respectively to said respective conducting elements.

2. An extension cord reel for the purposes described, comprising a hollow casing having a pair of recesses therein spaced apart from each other at opposite sides thereof, a pair of conducting elements in said casing seated in said recesses respectively and insulated from each other, additional recesses in said casing for receiving another portion of the respective conducting elements, end portions of said conducting elements extending exteriorly ofthe casing and adapted to be electrically connected to a source of current, a spool within said casing intermediate the conducting elements, spindles at opposite ends of the spool rotatably supported in said conducting elements and electrically insulated from each other, said spool having an extension cord of insulated conductor wires wound thereon, spring means for rotating said spool for reeling and unreeling said cord thereon, said spring means being tensioned consequent upon rotation of said spool by unreeling said cord, means fastening the conductor wires of said cord to said spool for rotation therewith, means electrically connecting said conductor wires to said conducting elements respectively.

3. An extension cord reel for the purposes described, comprising a pair of spaced conducting elements insulated from each other and adapted to be connected electrically to a source of current, a spool, spindles at the opposite ends of said spool rotatably engaging said conducting elements for rotatably mounting the spool therebetween, said spool having an. extension cord of insulated wires wound thereabout, the wires of said cord being secured to said spool for reeling thereon consequent upon rotation of the spool, means electrically connecting each of said wires to a difierent .one of said conducting elements,

a coiled spring connected at one end to the spool,

the other end being adapted to be secured against rotation with the spool, a pair of complementary congruent casing segments adapted to enclose all of the above described working parts, said casing segments having complementary internal recesses for receiving and snuglyembracing portions of the conducting, elements when all of the above working parts are assembled in the relative positions described, and when said casing segments are placed in enclosing relation to all of said working parts, and means for securing said body segments together in said enclosing relation whereby all the working parts are held in operating relation with respect to each other.

a. An extension cord reel for the purposes described, comprising a pair of spaced conducting elements electrically insulated from each other and adapted to be electrically connected"to a source of power, a spring rotated spool disposed between said elements and rotatably mounted thereon, an extension cord of insulatedwires on said spool, separate means rotatable with. the spool and electrically insulated from each other and electrically connected to the respective wires of said cord, means electrically connecting said separate means respectively to said conducting elements, a casing comprising two half sections, each section being interiorly configured to receive and snugly embrace portions of said conducting elements whereby said working parts may be assembled and laid in one of said sections and held in position by securing the other section thereto in enclosing relation to said working parts, and means for securing the sections to- 5 gather. v

' 5. An extension cord reel for the purposes described, comprising a pair of conducting elements electrically insulated from each other, a spool having separate spindles of conducting material at its respective ends, engaging said conducting elements for rotatably supporting the spool there= between, said spindles being electrically insulated from each other and forming electrical connections with the respective conducting elements, an extension cord of insulated wires on said spool, Separate wires thereof being electrically connected to said respective spindles, a coiled spring having one and operably connected to said spool and the other end in fixed relation to one of said conducting elements, a body having spaced inter- .nal recesses for receiving and snugly embracing inner end portions of the respective conducting elements for holding said conducting elements 'in fixed position with respect to each other where- Mil) by all of said elements are held in operating I position with respect to each other, the opposite ends of said conducting elements protruding exteriorly of the body and forming sabre blades for segment, a neck portion at one end of said casing ing through the respectiverecesses of the neck portion and forming sabre blades for connection with a wall plug; whereby said elements are held out of contact with each other, a spool of rigid insulating material, spindle means of conducting material protruding from each end of said spool and insulated from each other and being rotatably received and held in said conducting elements and forming electrical contact therewith when the conducting elements are positioned in their respective recesses, a coil spring, one end of thespring being rigidly fixed to the spool and the opposite end of the spring being secured to one of said conducting elements, an extension electric cord on-said spool having a plurality of insulated wires, the ends or said wires being secured to said spool and electrically con nected to said spindles respectively, a passage in. said casing segment through which said cord extends to the outside, another casing segment engaging the first mentioned segment for closing said open face, said last mentioned segment also engaging said conducting elements for retaining the same in their respective recesses, and means for securing said segments together.

I. In a device of the character described, a spool, an extension cord of insulated wire wound about said spool, shafts of conducting material for rotatably mounting said spool, said shafts being insulated from each other, means connecting said shafts respectively to a source of electric current, means for mounting said shafts in said spool and for forming an electrical connection between the respective shafts and wires oi. said cord, said means comprising threaded elements within said spool coaxial with each other, complementary threads on the inner ends of the respective shafts, bores extending from the outside of the spool interiorly or said threaded elements respectively for passing the respective wires thereinto whereby the wires may be inserted into said threaded elements and held in place by screwing the shafts into position with respect to the threaded elements.

8. An extension cord reel for the purposes described, comprisinga' pair of conducting elements insulated from each other and adapted to be connected electrically to a source of current, a rotatable spool, spindles at the opposite ends of said spool for rotatably mounting the spool, said spool having an extension cord of insulated wires wound thereabout, the wires of said cord being secured to said spool for reeling thereon consequent upon rotation of the spool, means electrically connected each of said wires to a difierent one of said conducting elements,

a coiled spring connected at one end to the spool and having the other end fixed against rotation with the spool, a plurality of complementary casing segments cooperating when assembled to enclose all of the above described working parts, means comprising complementary interior configurations of said casing segments for receiving and snugly embracing portions of the conducting elements when all of the above working parts are in the relative operating positions and to hold said parts in said positions described consequent upon placing the body segments in enclosing relation to all of said parts, and means for securing said body segments together in said enclosing relation whereby all the parts are enclosed and held in operating relation with respect to each other by the body segments.

9. An extension cord reel for the purpose described, comprising a plurality of separate casing segments, a pair of conducting elements insulated from each other, a spool, an extension cord of insulated wires wound on said spool, means electrically connecting the wires to said conducting elements respectively, a spring operatively connected at one end to said spool for rotating the same, means securing the other end of the spring from rotation with the spool, one of said casing segments having spaced recesses to receive and snugly embrace portions oi! said conducting elements for mounting the same therein, said casing segments being interiorly 

